Superman IIby Anonymous
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December 20, 2006:
The 1981 version of Superman II was designed was a distinctly different goal than the original director had intended when the production of the movie was halted to bring in a different director. Way back when, Richard Donner was supposed to shoot the entirety of the first two Superman films, but due to payment differences and personal issues, was asked to leave the movie in favor of Richard Lester. Donner eventually re-edited and released Superman II as he originally had intentioned in early 2006, but for 25 bleak years, the world had to view Superman through the eyes of Richard Lester. Superman goes on spectacular, all expenses paid vacation to a Niagra Falls honeymoon hotel where both Lois and Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent, stay in an extremely tacky suite complete with a vibrating bed and a huge pink bear skin rug. Superman fights off the Krytonian villains as they destroy New York City and as he is fighting them, the movie focuses on several individuals being whipped backwards by the super breath of the super villains. The first person is talking on a phone booth telephone while being dragged down the street in an apparent attempt at humor by Richard Lester. The second is on roller skates and is being uncontrollably blown backwards while he waves his arms and cries for help, again an apparent attempt at humor. These elements of the 1981 release all contribute to the overall feeling of complete jocularity of the film and help in making it completely and irrevocably hollow. In terms of storyline, SII is definitely a well-developed film. It has a crafted storyline and follows one of the most iconic pop culture images ever created. It has no small task set to complete and it succeeds in laying down a plot line that is comprehensible. The mechanics of the movie are also good. The film is shot well, with creative uses in camera angles and whatnot and the lighting of the film is also well done. Ultimately, one who knows nothing of Superman might have little problem seeing this film because they are presented with a fresh and lively character that is certainly entertaining. But lets be honest. No one has never heard of Superman and everyone has some idea as to what he is about, and this is where the Lester version of SII begins to fall apart. SII is almost campy, and is certainly a glossed over version of real life. Superman is a gritty character. He has a five o ‘clock shadow and he drinks his coffee black. He has to deal with the utter destruction of his planet and the return of three of the most notorious criminals ever to exist in Kryptonian history. But the Lester version of SII makes Superman into a comical character, characterized by bad vocal puns and not-so-subtle innuendo with the ever-present Lois Lane. The movie feels like Superman cares nothing about the villains he is fighting and is merely trying to stop them to put on a show for the good people of Earth who will then devote their every waking moment to praising his existence. It feels superficial and campy and thus, the 1981 release of SII falls short.
This review was written about the DVD Special Edition / Wide Screen / Subtitled edition.
Superman IIby Anonymous
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December 20, 2006:
The version of Superman II that Richard Donner directed is a movie with stronger characterization. It dispels the goofiness of the original cut and casts a darker light on the story of Superman. Throughout the Superman series, Clark has to hide his secret identity from the woman of his dreams, Lois Lane. However, as an investigative journalist, it is her duty to uncover the truth, which she does. In both versions of the movie, Lois figures out who Superman is. He is unable to hide it any longer, and so, they start a relationship together. In the Lester cut, which is the theatrical release, Lois attempts to draw Clark into becoming Superman by jumping off a platform and into the falls. The Donner cut depicts Lois jumping out of the Daily Planet building from her office, which is several stories up. Jumping from the building is much more perilous than jumping into the water, in this critic’s opinion. She is able to jump into the water and survive. However, if Lois had not landed on the rain shield above the building’s door, which she does, she would have hit the pavement and died. Clark does nothing to save her from the fall into Niagara Falls. All he does is throw her a log to climb onto. In the Donner version, however, Clark discretely uses his powers to quickly open the rain shield and save Lois. He acts much more heroically, which is a pleasant change from the Lester version. Neither of those scenes necessarily proves that Clark is Superman. However, events that follow eventually reveal Clark’s identity to Lois. The scenes that ultimately blow Clark’s cover are distinctly different and characterize Lois much differently, as well. In the Lester cut, Clark trips over a pink bear fur rug and loses his glasses. That is when Lois makes the connection. However, the Donner cut is somewhat darker. The entire hotel scene is omitted. In its place, Lois holds a gun up to Clark’s torso and says that she is so sure he is Superman that she can, in good conscience, shoot him. He starts to get nervous, and the gun goes off. Clark confesses everything, and Lois reveals that it was only a blank. She tricked him into spilling his guts. I found that a lot more interesting than Clark being clumsy. All in all, the Donner version of the movie was much more entertaining in that it is not overly goofy and stuffed with visual gags. While it does include humorous elements, it does not cram them down the viewer’s throat as the Lester version does. Instead, Donner’s version of Superman II is a refreshing, serious, action-adventure flick with some mediocre special effects.
This review was written about the DVD Special Edition / Wide Screen / Subtitled edition.
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